DUG vs. NRGU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DUG (ProShares UltraShort Oil & Gas) and NRGU (MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN) are both Leveraged Equities funds - DUG tracks the DJ Global United States (All) / Oil & Gas -IND (-200%) while NRGU tracks the Solactive MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, DUG returned -53.44% vs 156.99% for NRGU. At a correlation of -0.95, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

DUG vs. NRGU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraShort Oil & Gas (DUG) and MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN (NRGU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DUG achieves a -44.70% return, which is significantly lower than NRGU's 129.31% return.

DUG

• 1D: -2.67%
• 1M: 1.02%
• YTD: -44.70%
• 6M: -42.64%
• 1Y: -53.44%
• 3Y*: -28.46%
• 5Y*: -38.28%
• 10Y*: -32.42%

NRGU

• 1D: 2.53%
• 1M: -6.67%
• YTD: 129.31%
• 6M: 97.01%
• 1Y: 156.99%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DUG vs. NRGU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DUG ProShares UltraShort Oil & Gas	-44.70%	-4.76%
NRGU MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN	129.31%	-33.00%

Correlation

The correlation between DUG and NRGU is -0.94, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 21, 2025	-0.95

The correlation between DUG and NRGU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.95 to -0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

DUG vs. NRGU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DUG	NRGU
Financial Services	35.8%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	100.0%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

DUG vs. NRGU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

DUG

DUG Risk / Return Rank: 1
DUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
DUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
DUG Omega Ratio Rank: 1
DUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
DUG Martin Ratio Rank: 1

NRGU

NRGU Risk / Return Rank: 58
NRGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
NRGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
NRGU Omega Ratio Rank: 48
NRGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
NRGU Martin Ratio Rank: 56

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

DUG vs. NRGU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraShort Oil & Gas (DUG) and MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN (NRGU). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	DUG	NRGU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-1.31	2.11	-3.42
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-2.28	2.43	-4.71
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.77	1.30	-0.54
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.89	3.95	-4.85
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.60	9.88	-11.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DUG vs. NRGU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DUG Sharpe Ratio is -1.31, which is lower than the NRGU Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DUG and NRGU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DUG	NRGU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.31	2.11	-3.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.74	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.55	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.51	0.45	-0.96

Drawdowns

DUG vs. NRGU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DUG drawdown since its inception was -99.92%, which is greater than NRGU's maximum drawdown of -57.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DUG and NRGU.

Drawdown Indicators

	DUG	NRGU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.92%	-57.50%	-42.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-59.89%	-39.95%	-19.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-68.64%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-94.03%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.46%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.92%	-20.91%	-79.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-88.97%	-25.42%	-63.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	33.39%	15.96%	+17.43%

Volatility

DUG vs. NRGU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares UltraShort Oil & Gas (DUG) is 16.20%, while MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN (NRGU) has a volatility of 31.63%. This indicates that DUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NRGU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DUG	NRGU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.20%	31.63%	-15.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	32.96%	61.27%	-28.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	40.91%	75.15%	-34.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	51.59%	89.15%	-37.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	58.81%	89.15%	-30.34%

DUG vs. NRGU - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both DUG and NRGU have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

DUG vs. NRGU - Dividend Comparison

DUG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.99%, while NRGU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DUG ProShares UltraShort Oil & Gas	4.99%	3.21%	5.66%	4.16%	0.28%	0.00%	0.10%	0.56%	0.29%
NRGU MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DUG and NRGU in my portfolio?

DUG and NRGU have a correlation of -0.94, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DUG or NRGU?

NRGU has higher volatility (31.63%) compared to DUG (16.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DUG dropped -99.92% vs NRGU's -57.50%.

Which ETF is better, DUG or NRGU?

On 1-year performance, NRGU leads with 156.99% vs -53.44% for DUG. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, DUG has been the lower-risk option at 16.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DUG or NRGU?

Over the 1-year period, NRGU has performed better with a 156.99% return vs -53.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DUG or NRGU?

DUG and NRGU have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DUG or NRGU?

DUG has the higher dividend yield at 4.99%, compared with 0.00% for NRGU.

What is the main difference between DUG and NRGU?

DUG tracks DJ Global United States (All) / Oil & Gas -IND (-200%), while NRGU tracks Solactive MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index (-300%). They also come from different issuers: ProShares and BMO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NRGU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs -1.31), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.